Ideas for a North Korean Themed Party
Although separated for more than 50 years, North and South Korea still share a common language, history and culture, so much of what you find on this page will be true for the
South Korean Page, and vice versa.
North Korea is the larger in terms of geographical area, but the population of South Korea is roughly twice that of the north, which is largely mountainous.
Because North Korea is a relativley "closed" state, it is not easy to find out much about how they celebrate important occasions.
To create an authentic Korean party atmosphere, have some
Traditional Music from Korea
playing in the background (not during the game though!).
North Korean Party Decorations
Decorate yourself and your room with North Korean shirts, flags and scarves (see links, right).
If you're serving food, search for red, blue and white table covers, napkins, plates, cups and
cutlery on our general Football Party Decorations Page
For bunting, flags, balloons and more
North Korean Party Decorations Ideas,
visit our
Asian Football Party Decorations Page
As for other party decorations, in addition to the above ideas, anything else you can find in red, white and blue will help create the right atmosphere. As well as
anything with the North Korean flag on, paper decorations are popular, especially fans, streamers, paper parasols, and paper lanterns.
Food for a North Korea Themed Party
Central to Korean cuisine are rice, noodles, tofu, vegetables, and meats. Traditionally, Korean meals are served with many side dishes (
banchan) and steamed short-grain rice.
Kimchi, a fermented, spicy vegetable dish is omnipresent as an accompaniement to every meal. Korean cooking is flavoured with spices including sesame oil, soy sauce, chillies, garlic, ginger,
and
doenjang (fermented soybean paste).
As Kimchi can be time-consuming to make - and it seems nearly impossible to track down the definitive recipe - we recommend you find some at a local Asian grocer if you want to
try it.
While the main staples eaten are rice and noodles, pulses - especially soybeans, mung beans and azuki beans - remain extremely popular, and are used in many different ways. The main sources of
protein are chicken and pork (but beef - which is highly valued - and dog meat are also eaten). As the Korean peninsula is almost surrounded by water, fish and seafood are very popular,
and can be either grilled or eaten in soups and stews. Koreans eat a very wide selection of different vegetables, many of which are not well known in the west; popular vegetables include
include potato, sweet potato, cabbage, spinach, courgettes, mushrooms, cucumber, garlic, chillies, various types of seaweed, and lotus root.
Bulgogi - Korean Barbecued Beef
Hot & Spicy Squid Stir Fry - Ohjinguh bokkeum
Spicy Stir Fried Chicken - Dak Galbi
Drink for a North Korea Themed Party
Alcohol is popular in Korea, but few of the drinks are familiar to us in the west. Beer is not a native drink, and although there are now a few breweries it is still not as popular as the
traditional Korean drinks. Korean wine is not "true wine", in the sense that it is usually made by adding fruit to already fermented alcohol. The most common forms would therefore be
a rice "wine", to which cherries, grapes, raspberries or plums are added for flavouring before it is sold.
By far the most popular alcoholic drink in Korea is Soju, made from a combination of fermented rice and grain. Usually about 20 percent alcohol by volume, although sometimes as much as 40 percent,
it is a clear spirit, sometimes compared to vodka. It can be drunk on its own, or with mixers or in cocktails. Many popular international cocktails can be adapted to incorporate Soju.
Another popular drink in Korea - this time non-alcoholic - is Korean Ginger Tea. It is served chilled as a refreshing summer drink.
